Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have any of you rat keepers tried using Ivermectin on your rats? I read that it works well. I beleive the dose was a drop about the size of a grain of rice, once a week for 3 weeks.

I've read about people using Omega 3 supplements for their rats. I was wondering if I were to do that, can I use the ones I have, meant for human use, if I were to poke a hole in a capsule and only use a drop every few days? Would that be fine? Thanks!

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite medication used for most internal parasites. If used at the right dosage as subscribed by a vet, I don't see it causing any problems. However, a too heavy dose can kill your rat and a too light of a dose, won't kill the internal parasites.

As for Omega 3, never heard anything about it. Are you asking to use it for parasite control or just as a dietry suppliment?

I am personally very against recommending anybody self medicate their pets, unless they have been properly trained to do this. Thus, if you think your rat has internal parasites, bring a poop sample to your vet for a fecal. This way the type of parasite can be identified and proper dosage/medications subscribed by your vet based on age and weight of your rat.
-----
PHLdyPayne

I know a lot of people do it, but using horse wormer paste for rats is too risky, imo. Much too easy to overdose. A vet can prescribe something much safer. Even if s/he prescribes ivermectin, it will be mixed in a concentration that is safe to give your rat.

As for fatty acid supplements, I used the kind made for dogs for my rats. I'd poke a hole in a capsule and put a couple of drops onto some kind of treat every few days. I'd think the worst that could happen there would be loose stools, if they were to get too much.
HTH
-----
~Rachel~

>>I know a lot of people do it, but using horse wormer paste for rats is too risky, imo. Much too easy to overdose. A vet can prescribe something much safer. Even if s/he prescribes ivermectin, it will be mixed in a concentration that is safe to give your rat.
>>

BIG DITTO on that!
There is no anti-dote for ivermectin, way too risky.

My vet sold me something the other day called HEALx Booster, it's supposed to help boost immune systems & is a fatty acid thing. I don't know yet if it works on rats but it is for mammals & reptiles. The vet has had good luck using it for reptiles. She wanted me to try it on this sick baby rat I have right now.
-----
PHRatz

I wouldn't use an "about" dosage for an animal the size of a rat. A vet can give you a more suitable product and regime...